THE Oxfordshire Reading Campaign is a great idea to improve literacy levels in primary schools. I have just finished visiting all of the schools in my constituency.

They are a diverse collection. But, all of them take the need to improve literacy seriously.

In fact, I have just written to them all offering to come to the school and to read to the children.

Reading is not only essential in my line of work – just think of all those long and busy Bills to read. It is also a great pleasure.

I simply can’t resist having books around me or popping in to the Oxfam bookshop in Thame to stock up. It is why I have a collection of over 4,000 books.

John Howell, Conservative MP for Henley